Letters in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam / Alphabets / Pronunciation

Tamil letters / Tamil alphabets are known as Tamil Eluthukkal (தமிழ் எழுத்துக்கள்). Tamil letters have 12 vowels ( Uyireluttu – உயிரெழுத்து) and 18 consonants (Meyyeluttu  – மெய்யெழுத்து). These 12 vowels and 18 consonants combined to form 216 letters. It is called Uyirmey eluttu (உயிர்மெய் எழுத்து). It has one special letter called Aayutha ezhuthu (ஆய்த எழுத்து). Totally, 12+18+216+1=247 letters.

According to the nature of sound, Consonants are classified into three groups. They are Vallinam (வல்லினம்), Mellinam (மெல்லினம்) and Idayinam (இடையினம்). Letters with hard sound are called Vallinam. Letters with soft sound are called Mellinam. Letters with medium sound are called Idayinam.